LEGAL AID POSTGRADUATE FELLOWSHIP PROCEDURES

NAME OF ORGANIZATION: Northwest Justice Project

WEBSITE: www.nwjustice.org

OFFICE LOCATIONS: 13 Field Offices; 4 Satellite Offices and a Native American Unit. See http://www.nwjustice.org/about_njp/offices.html

CONTACT PERSON: Millie A. Kennedy, Fellowship Coordinator (milliek@nwjustice.org)

WHEN DOES ORGANIZATION SELECT FELLOWSHIP PROJECT(S): Northwest Justice Project (NJP) begins considering fellowship proposals in March and attempts to select student candidates and finalize fellowship projects by July 15 each year (or earlier based on the fellowship application deadline). Because of its current budget situation, NJP may not be able to sponsor any fellowship applications in 2010 that require a financial contribution from NJP.

HOW DOES ORGANIZATION SELECT FELLOWSHIP PROJECT: NJP's fellowship committee invites NJP field offices and Alliance for Equal Justice task forces to submit fellowship proposals based on applicable deadlines. Identification of projects for fellowship consideration is based on advocacy needs and priorities that have been developed by the field offices or task forces. The field offices or task forces are requested to submit a proposal describing the fellowship project, the timeline for the fellowship work, the substantive work to be performed, and the supervisory structure for the fellow.

ARE STUDENT PROPOSALS INVITED: Yes. A student proposal concept paper and student resume generally need to be submitted five months before the fellowship application deadline, for example, by May 15 for Skadden Arps or Equal Justice Works Fellowships. The concept paper, not to exceed two pages, shall include the following: 1. The name of the fellowship; 2. The fellowship application deadline; 3. A description of the project and how the project is consistent with fellowship guidelines; 4. The specific needs the project will address; 5. The activities that will relate to those needs; 6. The anticipated outcomes of the project.

HOW DOES ORGANIZATION SELECT FELLOWSHIP CANDIDATE: NJP's selection process includes a strong preference for students who have: 1. Demonstrated their commitment to public interest work and to the low-income communities NJP serves; 2. Proposed projects that are consistent with NJP's mission and priorities; and 3. Proposed projects that are sustainable beyond the fellowship and/or that will result in systemic changes that positively affect the lives and rights of NJP's clients and client communities.

WHICH FELLOWSHIP PROGRAMS DOES THE ORGANIZATION CONSIDER: NJP will consider the Seattle University School of Law Leadership for Justice Fellowship, Equal Justice Works Fellowship, Skadden Arps Fellowship and other national and local fellowship programs that fund work consistent with NJP's mission and priorities.

WHAT KIND OF SUPPORT DOES THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDE THE FELLOWSHIP CANDIDATE DURING THE APPLICATION PROCESS: NJP's fellowship committee works collaboratively with a supervising attorney and a candidate in developing the proposal and the fellowship application.